Osteoporosis

Abstract

Osteoporosis is a progressive skeletal disorder that is characterised by compromised bone strength that leads to an increased susceptibility to fractures. With an ageing population in the UK and a prevalence rate of 34% in people over the age of 50 years, the health and financial burden of the disease is significant. Osteoporosis develops due to an imbalance in bone remodelling, leading to a decrease in bone mineral density and alterations in the micro-architecture of bone. Diagnosis of osteoporosis involves a thorough assessment to identify patients at risk of developing osteoporosis, as it is often asymptomatic. Bone density measurements through dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans are the gold-standard diagnostic modality. Treatment of osteoporosis is guided by the symptomatology of patients in addition to their T-score from the DXA scan. Oral bisphosphonates are the first-line therapy in addition to oral calcium and vitamin D supplementation to halt bone resorption and reduce fracture risk.